SpotKick: Who Shall Give First Aid?

In 2004, Oulmers tore his knee ligaments while on national duty for Morocco against Burkhina Faso and was sidelined for seven months. The left winger was in good form for his Belgian club, Charleroi, and thus, they felt robbed of his services. The club had to pay for his recovery and thus, sought compensation from FIFA by suing them in a Belgian court.

The G-14 had thrown their weight behind Charleroi, as they feel that they could sneak some money with regards to their players as well. It is learnt that Charleroi withdrew the case in August’08, and though no details of the ‘possible’ deal have been made public though it is believed that the Belgian club received a huge sum.

The outcome of this case could have terrible repercussions with a new “Oulmers ruling” expected to come out. The rule would now benefit big clubs, who have the most of number of internationals, and shall slay the national teams of poorer countries, whose players play for the rich clubs.

The clubs could seek compensation from the national football associations if their player gets injured while on international duty, perhaps even for any player released to play for their national team.

If a Didier Drogba or a Salomon Kalou injures while on duty with Ivory Coast, their national football association would have to pay compensation to Chelsea. Those nations, who know can’t pay or compensate, would avoid calling such players for the national duty.

Another case is that of Michael Owen. The English striker injured his anterior knee ligament in the group stages of the 2006 World up and was out of action of about 10 months. Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd demanded compensation from the English FA.

Owen injured his anterior knee ligament during the World Cup group stages in 2006 and was injured for about ten months. The club versus country debate was conversed endlessly over that summer and the start of the season as the then Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd demanded compensation.

"They have not paid the price of even an aspirin... They have cut him loose as soon as they put him on the plane home.

"They have refused point blank to pay us, despite it costing £150,000 to aid his recuperation.

“They even told us to take the money from FIFA when it was clearly the FA’s responsibility as he was under their care.

“The FA are abusing a dominant position. They are taking our prized asset and returning them as damaged goods,” added Shepherd.

The FA, though, by February the following year, had been paying about £50,000 per week toward the player's wages, while Newcastle even were insured against injuries and such.

The following summer, around a year after the incident, Newcastle received £10 million from the FA. A Newcastle statement read, "We have finally reached a comprise with FIFA and the FA regarding Michael Owen, and when you take into account the fact that his wages have been paid in full for two years and the compensation we have received, it'll amount to around £10million."

Interestingly, there was an advertising campaign run by Northern Rock – Newcastle United’s sponsor – prior to the World Cup that had Owen on an airport conveyor belt with the slogan underneath that said, “Can we have him back in one piece please?”

According to the latest developments, players from East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have left for Delhi for the national camp and one wonders, whether their T-shirts had a similar slogan!    

Rahul Bali, with inputs from Alan Dawson and Tommy Valendik